When the earthquake shaking starts, your first action should be to duck, cover, and hold. In other words, get under something sturdy, like a table or chair, and hold on. If this is not an option, move away from windows toward the interior of the room. However, when the shaking starts you won’t be the only thing moving. Objects in and outside the building or home, such as light fixtures, lamps, computers, bookshelves, signs, chimneys, plus many others, will also be moving. They could be falling, toppling, sliding, rolling or even flying. These objects are considered the non-structural components of a building, Not only is there the potential for these objects to be damaged, but their movement can cause damage, injury or even loss of life. Often the most damage, injury and loss of life during an earthquake are the result of the movement of the non-structural components. Therefore, it is important to move quickly to protect yourself. Duck, cover, and hold looks easy on paper and even during practice, and practice almost makes perfect. However, when the shaking begins, it might not be as easy to protect yourself in a timely manner as you think.

Never fear. There is something that you can do. If objects are secured, either with bolts, Velcro, straps, or other devices, then the urgency to duck, cover and hold is not as great, although still necessary. Damage, injury and loss of life from the earthquake would be greatly reduced if these objects were secured. In addition, evacuation, if necessary, will run smoother if there is less debris along the evacuation routes. Securing items is often inexpensive and easy to do. If securing is not an option, objects can be placed in a safer location, as long as its movement would not hinder evacuation. For example, heavy objects could be moved to lower shelves or a file cabinet could be moved away from a doorway.
Below you will find a checklist of objects typically found in offices and homes, complemented by diagrams illustrating how to secure them. The checklist is divided into different sections depending on the level of expertise required to inspect and secure the objects. Most people in an office and home would probably focus on the Equipment and Furnishings section.

By securing these objects and practicing the duck, cover and hold, you will go a long way in protecting yourself from the earthquake. Remember it is not if an earthquake will strike but when. Contact Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator, at 503-378-2911 ext. 22237 for further information.

Mitigating Non-Structural Hazards

Earthquake Non-Structural Hazard Checklist
A complete version of this document is available here.

Use this checklist to help determine the ways you can make your home, office, school or virtually any building a safer place to be during an earthquake. A. Inspections and securing of items, unless otherwise noted, can be made by office staff and homeowners.

1. * indicates that inspection should be made by qualified staff or contractor.

2. A/E indicates an architect or engineer should be consulted.

B. Key to diagrams illustrating solutions are in parentheses. Solution diagrams are located at the end of the checklist. C. Bold indicates a life safety hazard. D. If items can not be secured, they should be moved to a location where movement would not cause injury or be a barrier to evacuation. NOTE: Attaching objects to walls may require permission of the building owner and may require an inspection by a qualified individual if the wall is not load bearing.

Are light-weight drywall partitions, that extend as high as the hung ceiling, braced or supported by the structure above, particularly if these partitions are used as lateral support for tall shelving or cabinets? (PA2) [A/E]

3.

Are the clear panels in partitions made of plastic or safety glass? (Replace with shatter-proof materials or apply shatter-resistant film)

Equipment and Furnishings

Section EF

yes

no

1.

Are desk or table top computers, printers, etc. secured? (EF1a or EF1b)

2.

Are the tops of 4-5 drawer file cabinets secured to wall or to eachother? (EF2)

3.

Do file cabinet drawers have latches? (Provide latches)

4.

Are large and heavy office machines restrained and located where they will not slide a few inches, fall off counters, or block exits? (EF3a or EF3b)

Are the large panes made of safety glass, and is it known if the mounting of the panes was designed by an architect/engineer to accommodate expected seismic distortion of the surrounding structure? (Apply shatter-resistant film)